Uncertain future for city manager

As a 37-year employee of Wood Dale, City Manager Frank Williams says he deserves some job security.

Since earlier this summer, the city council has met in closed-door meetings to discuss the manager's future.

Williams said he has been asking aldermen to decide whether he'll be retained or have to make another career change.

"I've been here for a long time," he said. "So I just think I've earned the right to know what's going on. So I've asked them to make a decision."

Officials say aldermen were divided on whether they wanted to search for a new manager when Williams' three-year, roughly $279,000 contract expires on Jan. 21 or renew it.

Late Thursday night, after a nearly three-hour executive session that excluded Williams, several aldermen declined to comment.

Alderman Joe Kolz, a Williams supporter, walked out of the closed-door meeting and made a thumbs down gesture.

"He's staying, but it didn't go down how we wanted it to," Kolz said. "That's all I can say."

After the meeting, city attorney Patrick Bond would only confirm that both sides were negotiating a contract extension.

"I'd be more than happy to extend my contract because we've been successful and we work together very well over the last three years," Williams said. "We'll just have to wait and see what (the aldermen) vote on at the next meeting."

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Williams, a longtime police chief and 34-year police officer in the city, was appointed to his current position in September 2004 after the departure of former City Manager Brad Townsend.